[Verse 1] An endless dawn upon the northern crest The silver dome of winter never sleeps A sleepy hawk stirs on her wooden perch While heavy larl furs drape the hardwood steps Runes of old futhark floating in the air A soft glow shining with a magic flame I strap the mead horn closely to my hip And bear the ancient tools that mark my name [Chorus] Oh, the Gorean way, where the frost meets the fire A master’s cold command, a maid’s deep desire Bound by the custom, the property and pride In the halls of Axe Fjord where the warriors abide The world may be flat, and the winter may long But the bond and the Jarl sing the ancient song [Verse 2] The screen slides back, the accordian panel folds She pads across the floor with barefoot grace Dropping her head submissively to kneel A nadu pose before my resting place The scent of baking porridge fills the room Sweet cane and spices from the distant south She offers up the bowl with trembling hands A silent accent on her parted mouth [Chorus] Oh, the Gorean way, where the frost meets the fire A master’s cold command, a maid’s deep desire Bound by the custom, the property and pride In the halls of Axe Fjord where the warriors abide The world may be flat, and the winter may long But the bond and the Jarl sing the ancient song [Bridge] (Music shifts: Heavy, rhythmic thumping drums, deep male throat chanting) She holds the pitcher tight between her breasts And bends to pour the cup to quench my thirst No romantic love, but a pet to protect and keep In a world where the strong rule the land first A parting kiss upon my calloused cheek The heavy timber door begins to groan The iron bar is drawn across the gate And I step outward to the ice alone [Guitar / Tagelharpa Solo - Intense and Haunting] [Verse 3] The high log walls enclose the raised walkway Where sentries watch the cold and icy fjord The ancient stone paths hang above the deep Protected by the arrow and the sword Descendants of the Gods from older earths Brought to the counter-world by kings unseen We flourish in the brutal glacier plains Where silver skies wash all the valleys clean [Outro] The click and thud of the locking gate The freezing wind begins to bite the skin I walk the path toward the outer world Remembering the warmth that lies within... (Deep chanting fades out into the sound of howling arctic wind)
